Disney-themed USB keys lock kids into childish environments

While we've seen USB-based peripherals that aim to keep your youngsters in a safe and innocent PC environment, Bandai and Buffalo have teamed up to make kid-friendly computing a bit more bearable. The duo has crafted a unique USB key, which is slated to be available in Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh versions, that simultaneously locks the PC into "Kid Mode," password protects the parent's session in the background, and opens up a world of mom-approved fun for the little ones to enjoy. The software that resides on the key includes a dedicated browser for safe surfing, a time regulator to keep them from growing addicted, and options for parents to select precisely what apps their offspring can / can't access. Reportedly, the units are expected to land in mid-September over in Japan, and while pricing has yet to be confirmed, we're hearing it'll run you around ¥3,480 ($30).

[Dias @ Sep 4th 2007 4:41PM]

So in order to hack all that protection a kid just need to pull off the pendrive?

[thef1re @ Sep 4th 2007 8:11PM]

still i think it is a great idea.

make the kids thing that to us the computer they need to plug in the key

[Will @ Sep 4th 2007 4:42PM]

Until they figure out how to unplug it ;)

[Luke Thomas @ Sep 4th 2007 4:45PM]

Like it said, it is password protected, so I am assuming that if they unplug it, it will still ask a password to exit the program.

[Preston @ Sep 4th 2007 4:57PM]

There's always the 3-finger password.

[Daryl Herbert @ Sep 4th 2007 11:52PM]

The parent's session is saved in the background. If the kid reboots, it would wipe that session out. So a halfway-aware parent could still catch them.

[Daryl Herbert @ Sep 5th 2007 1:02AM]

Also, you can set up your computer to require a password/fingerprint just to get in to Windows. A parent who uses those settings would be secure in the knowledge that a reboot wouldn't fix the problem.

What young hackers should do is head over to the Sony web site, and start downloading random software until they get a rootkit. Then, use the rootkit to undermine the Disney security software. Problem solved.

[Peter James @ Sep 4th 2007 5:05PM]

sounds like a good product if indeed you need a password to restore the background session after the the key is pulled...the key should also a have some sort of buzzer or RF tracker in case it gets shoved in a couch cushion and forgot about...so it would need a small battery too i suppose

[Wayne @ Sep 4th 2007 5:08PM]

let the kiddies know that they cannot use pc without it... no pen drive = no pc should keep the sucker around :-/

[Steve @ Sep 4th 2007 5:21PM]

I'm not sure about this product, but I like the idea. I'm constantly being asked by my 6 and 9 year olds if they can "play" on my computer. I'm always worried about what havoc they can bring on my PC unknowingly. If I could just plug in a dongle that would lock them into a virtual machine, with content protection, I'd feel a lot better about turning over the keys to my PC. Once they learn how to hack out of it, it's time for a new scheme.

I know I could setup user accounts and policies to manage this, but that's just another layer I don't have time to worry about. A simple dongle may be the easiest to manage.

[BrettB @ Sep 4th 2007 5:27PM]

I think this is a great idea, assuming it works as claimed. Plus, at $30, it's priced right to sell like crazy.

[Randavance @ Sep 4th 2007 5:41PM]

It will work until the child learns how to unplug and restart the computer. I always considered everything my father did to try and control me on the computer growing up more so a challenge then a rule. Its the best way to teach a child to be tech savvy.

[Andrew Jones @ Sep 4th 2007 6:27PM]

If only these came in linux flavor...

Seriously, the only thing my kids will be using without direct supervision will be a live linux distro booting from a DVD on a system with no hard drive until I feel they're ready for the responsibilities of online life. How old will that be? Who knows, but definitely before they're old enough to remove the boot disk, turn off the PC, install a hard drive, and reboot.

[Rainier @ Sep 4th 2007 5:45PM]

I'd like to plug this into one of the rear USB ports of my boss' computer.

[engadget @ Sep 4th 2007 5:48PM]

Doesn't Vista already have all this built in in there parental controls ?

[Mark Fillmore @ Sep 4th 2007 6:06PM]

Great Idea.

[Yojimbo @ Sep 4th 2007 6:30PM]

Kawaiiiiii!!!!

[Jack @ Sep 4th 2007 6:30PM]

Kids are expensive, go out n buy a pda instead !

ps- am only 20 :)

[August H. @ Sep 4th 2007 6:32PM]

its simple to override this, just turn off the computer, take it out, and restart! but i have a hunch that it wont let you do that, but instead you could pull the cord/takeout the battery.

[BBeh @ Sep 4th 2007 6:37PM]

Good idea for the younger kids, might stop them messing up your files at least :P

[Russell @ Sep 4th 2007 6:52PM]

I

[Russell @ Sep 4th 2007 6:53PM]

I have that computer I love it.

[Zach @ Sep 4th 2007 7:59PM]

what if some chinese kid gets the nerve to say...unplug it? Then the can look at all the free net pron they can handle (because that's what they'll do)

[Otakkun @ Sep 4th 2007 9:57PM]

It's Japanese XD We're not all the same~

My family has Macs :p whoo, freedom.

[Zach @ Sep 6th 2007 8:55AM]

idk Otakun, it doesn't look like kanji. Kinda looks like korean now that I've looked twice...

[hctusa @ Sep 4th 2007 9:41PM]

Actually, they should come up with a reverse idea: why not design a software that will automatically set the browser in child-friendly mode UNTIL a USB key is inserted that will allow full access to the parents? That way, the control is on the parent, not on the child. ;)

[jimmyfinch @ Sep 4th 2007 10:33PM]

I find Zone Alarm works to keep too muck havoc from being wreaked.

Also that trash can back up thingy might help too.

[Mjuboy @ Sep 4th 2007 10:43PM]

Looks like an unique idea and since it isnt too expensive either, it might work out.

[jrbenning @ Sep 4th 2007 11:02PM]

http://www.PeanutButterSoftware.com does this now and for less money. It locks everything down without even having to exit the current user account. It blocks obvious things like Ctrl-Alt-Del and the Windows key to more obscure things like the CD-ROM autorun and Windows popup balloon messages that just beg kids to click them.

[Joemz @ Sep 5th 2007 12:56AM]

really cool

[Jamie Marsden @ Sep 5th 2007 3:22AM]

Just plug a usb extension cable into a hard/impossible to reach port and secure the other end of it higher than the child can reach. Problem solved. Or supervise the kid a bit. 7 year olds shouldn't be left with a computer by itself for hours on end.

Also hopefully the key-world will be so colourful and fun that the kid will like it more than normal windows.

[Yojimbo @ Sep 4th 2007 6:31PM]

I think EVERYONE would like it better than "normal" Windows.

[Rick @ Sep 5th 2007 7:35AM]

Since it does not support the mac, I guess we are left with the free alternative of simply setting up a user account with user restrictions and administration approved bookmarked sites....which has worked flawlessly for my little girl.